In the spring of 1983, Men at Work released Cargo, the Rock-tober alumnus's sophomore offering, and "It's a Mistake" debuted as a single off the album later that summer. While the song lampooned players in the Cold War, the simple chorus, "It's a mistake," reminds me of situations where the only viable reaction is, "Oops."
Glen Beckwith was one of my closest friends from my time at Auburn University. His quiet and unassuming manner hid the spirit of a master storyteller, and on many occasions, he held us spellbound with stories from his growing up years in Kissimmee, Florida.
One account was about a country doctor calling on some friends. As he stepped through their front door, the two young daughters of the house ran up to him. Their flushed cheeks and red, swollen eyes showed they'd been crying recently. When he asked what was the matter, one held up their pet hamster, lying limply in her cupped hand. "He's really sick. Can you help him, please?"
"Now, darlin', I'm a 'people' doctor. I'm not sure what I could do for your little friend."
"Pleeaassee?" Their eyes started to well up with tears again, and he realized he was beaten.
"Okay," he sighed. "Let me take a look." Gingerly, he took the hamster from her and started an exam, gently turning the inert form over in his hands. He noticed a portion of its abdomen was very distended, and, curious, poked at the protrusion. That got a reaction. The previously listless form let loose a loud squeak and latched on to the doctor's finger with its teeth.
Startled by the sharp, sudden pain, the doctor let loose a few loud expletives of his own and tried to shake off the little attacker. He succeeded, and the hamster went flying across the room in a graceful, sailing arc towards the other family pet, a large German Shepherd. The tiny furry projectile, being mistaken for a toy or treat, disappeared in a single canine gulp.
Both girls, front row witnesses to this, lost their minds. Sobs became howling screeches as they jumped up and down, flailing their arms manically. The German Shepherd, thinking this was a new game, was pleased as punch and started barking enthusiastically while bounding about the room.
The good doctor, taking in the scene, came to the dawning realization that he'd made a terrible mistake. All he could do was nod an apology to his hosts and slink out the door.
Oops.
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